Indian media: 'Crucial' voting phase of general election

More than 180 million voters are eligible to vote in 12 states and union territories on Thursday

Media in India are highlighting the importance of the "crucial" sixth phase of the ongoing general election.

More than 180 million voters are eligible to vote in 117 seats in 12 states and union territories, including Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

India's commercial capital, Mumbai, Indian-administered Kashmir and the eastern state of Assam are also among the regions voting on Thursday.

"Stakes are high for the ruling Congress and the BJP [main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party] and a number of regional parties like AIADMK, DMK, NCP and Shiv Sena, as 117 constituencies go to polls in yet another substantial round of polling," reports the NDTV website.

Thursday's polling is expected to decide the fate of some smaller but powerful regional parties, who may act as kingmakers in the event of a hung parliament.

"Voting in the sixth phase will decide the fate of many political bigwigs and regional satraps," reports The Asian Age.

"His (Mr Modi's) response when a question was asked about Pakistan was very positive and that gives us hope that positive things will come... I am indeed encouraged," the NDTV website quotes Mr Basit as saying.

Mr Modi on Wednesday said he would take forward former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's principles on foreign policy.

"I believe mutual respect for one another and cooperation should be the basis for relationships with foreign nations," Mr Modi said.

And finally, the Election Commission has allowed citizens to "upload video and audio clips of inflammatory speeches, or distribution of cash or liquor among voters, on its website", the Mint website reports

The initiative is seen as the watchdog's bid to curb malpractices in the ongoing general election.